Gordon Votto and Cain

Three of my favorite players were able to get contract extensions before the 2012 season started. What I like is that the extensions keep them with their original teams for many more years. It is rare in today's game but I still have a special place for players that manage to stay with a team their whole careers. One reason that I try not to do commentary on free agent signings is that I do not care for the whole mercenary aspect. At least for the foreseeable future Alex Gordon, Joey Votto and Matt Cain remain with the Royals, Reds and Giants.


Gordon is one of my favorite players on my favorite team so I was happy he signed a four year extension for $37.5 million with the Royals. He had his breakout season in 2011 when he hit .303/.376/.502 with 23 HR, 87 RBI, 101 R and 17 SB in 151 games. That raised his career numbers to .262/.343/.434 with 68 HR, 248 RBI, 295 R, and 46 SB in 559 games over five seasons. He also helped himself with a strong spring in 2012 hitting .366/.420/.606 with 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R and 1 SB in 25 games. Gordon turned 28 on February 10th.


Votto signed a ten year extension with the Reds for $225 million. The contract adds time to his current contract so he is actually under contract for 12 years for $251.5 million. Votto is one year removed from an MVP season but still had a good 2011 when he hit .309/.416/.531 with 29 HR, 103 RBI, 101 R, 8 SB in 161 games. For his career he has hit .313/.405/.550 with 119 HR, 401 RBI, 369 R and 36 SB in 617 games over five seasons. His 2012 spring was a bit below average for him as he hit .264/.350/.321 with 0 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R and 0 SB in 20 games. Votto turns 29 on September 10th,


Cain signed his extension with the Giants that puts him with the team for six years at $127.5 million. His 2011 was pretty good as he was 12-11 with a 2.88 ERA, 179 K, and 1.08 WHIP in 221.2 innings over 33 games. For his career he is 69-73 with a 3.35 ERA, 1085 K, and 1.20 WHIP in 1317.1 innings over 204 games over seven seasons. His 2012 spring was impressive as he was 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA, 26 K and 1.01 WHIP in 25.2 innings over six games. He turns 28 on October 1st.